New degrees earned, hot degrees spurned: Utah Tech splits commencement to ‘beat the heat’

By
Technology For You
-

ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech University celebrated a “tenacious” graduating class Friday during its 130th annual commencement for the class of 2024.

Jared S. Smith delivers his valedictorian speech during the Utah Tech University graduation ceremony, St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech University, St. George News

This year’s ceremony was divided into two parts in an attempt to “beat the heat,” according to a press release. The high for the day was 82 degrees, but astroturf and open-air stadiums are conducive to hotter temperatures. Robes worn over formal wear likely compounded the issue for students.

The associate degree candidates were presented at 8 a.m. during temperatures in the early 60s and the master’s and bachelor’s degree recipients presented at 6 p.m. in the early 70s.

Dr. Michael Lacourse, provost and vice president of academic affairs, was first to welcome the standout crowd that filled both home and away bleachers of the Greater Zion Stadium. Then Courtney White, Utah Tech’s interim president, gave his remarks for the outgoing class.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates,” White said. “This graduating class is committed, focused, and has grit, which can be defined as the tenacious pursuit of a goal despite setbacks.”

He continued his speech with a few noteworthy statistics about this year’s graduates.

“This graduating class represents 39 different states and 17 different countries,” he said. “Twenty-nine percent of this class are first-generation students, 61% of this class are female and 39% are male.”

White also noted that the graduating class ranges from ages “16 years old to 68 years young.”

Graduate Paisley Bills, a sociology major with two minors in business nonprofit management and business management, smiles after the commencement, St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

The featured speakers were Board of Trustees Chair Tiffany L. Wilson and valedictorian Jared S. Smith.

Wilson’s speech focused on the importance of intellectual humility and the enriching power of embracing diverse perspectives.

“Your ability to not only tolerate the views and beliefs of others but to listen, learn and grow because of them will be the key to your career, social, and relationship success,” Wilson said.

Smith, 24, told St. George News he recently accepted a job at St. George Regional Hospital working in the intensive care unit.

Smith was selected as valedictorian in part because he has tallied over 200 volunteer hours for organizations such as Root for Kids, American Red Cross, St. George Marathon and The Huntsman World Senior Games.

He has also been on Utah Tech University’s President’s List seven times and is a recipient of the Utah University’s Elite 11 award. His advice to incoming students was something that helped him succeed, he said.

“Get involved quickly and make friends,” Smith said. “Your experience can be as good or as bad as you make it.”

His valedictorian speech was about seizing opportunities, learning from failures and valuing community support. He used the university’s new construction as a metaphor for personal growth.

“We, like our university, have experienced change,” he said. “We have learned from our dedicated professors, mentors and peers how to unlock doors that can seal opportunities.”

A graduate “T-Poses” after receiving his degree, St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech University, St. George News

Smith said that his class must consistently strive to open doors even when they seem blocked, by stepping outside their comfort zone and taking risks.

Smith finished his speech with a quote from renowned physicist Albert Einstein, who said, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Smith was a part of one of the more popular bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Other highly attended subjects were exercise science, psychology and management and communication studies. 

One of those communications studies majors was 20-year-old Sophie Sparks, who, on the very day of commencement, landed a job with Deseret News doing social media marketing.

Sparks cited smaller class sizes as one benefit of studying at Utah Tech.

“I loved the mentoring and was able to get a good experience,” she said. “I’m going to miss the community and everyone who helped me succeed.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Betty Barnum, president of Utah Tech University’s alumni association, directed the graduates to move their tassels to the other side in unison, signifying their new status as Trailblazers graduates.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

Bridger Palmer was born in St. George, Utah, before being raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California. He was inspired to pursue journalism because he was an avid reader of Bill Simmons’ sports and popular culture blog, Grantland. Palmer wrote a screenplay in 2020 and launched his own website, newgrantland.com, shortly thereafter. He worked his way from proofreader to editorial assistant at a weekly newspaper in Redlands, California. He returned to Southern Utah in late 2023.

Source Link

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here